Football: The Association Game/Chapter 9
CHAPTER IX.
THE FULL BACKS.
The requirements for a full back, though in some degree, the same, are not altogether identical with those for a half* back. Here, again, it is necessary that there should be a thorough accord. The backs ought, indeed, to a great extent to act in harmony with the halves; and, as a matter of fact, the generally accepted theory is that the five players next in front of the goal-keeper should work in connection, or at least on a definite system of co-operation. The tactics of the back under any circumstances must be in the main dependent on those of the halves, and his policy will be guided generally by the movements of the halves, particularly of him directly in front. In the ordinary course he must watch his own half, i.e. on his own wing, or immediately before him if he happen to be in the centre. If the half-back goes at the opposite forward, and compels him to transfer the ball, the back will necessarily run in so as to get it before any other of the enemy's forwards can obtain the ball after such pass. Similar considerations will naturally influence the two backs, so that there may be the same mutual support by which in the event of the first going forward, the second may fall back to get the ball, if the other is, in football parlance, "going for the man."
Backs should not only be clever kicks, capable of taking the ball in any position and with either foot, but also be possessed of strength. They should never keep the ball by any chance a moment longer than is absolutely necessary, and it is needless therefore to add that they should never on any account be tempted to dribble. Backs, to be of real service loo, require to exercise a great deal of judgment, as they have it in their power, by going forward on occasions, to keep the opposite forwards if they get too far up off-side. Backs, moreover, have often to stand a good deal of the heavy work, and it is necessary therefore that they should have pluck as well as a certain amount of weight. As a general rule, when pressed they will find it expedient to send the ball well away to the wings. They must, too, not get so near the posts as to hamper or prevent the goal-keeper getting a good sight of the ball. The whole system of defence, though, is of such interest that it will be of great use if I give the views of perhaps the two greatest defensive players the game has produced, Messrs. A. M. and P. M. Walters, incomparably the best pair of full backs we have ever seen.
"In discussing the defence, there are essentially two systems to which alone attention need to be drawn. First, the independent, where every man acts for himself; secondly, the combined, or that system which recognizes that 'prevention is better than cure.' The independent system consists, as it were, of two ranks entirely separate from each other, in which the front rank, or, in other words, the half^ backs, bear the brunt of the attack, and it is only when their defence is broken through that the backs are brought into action. This system obviously requires that the half-backs shall not only be first-rate players, but also in first-class condition, since not being assisted by the backs until the very last possible moment, they are in a minority of three to five, in addition to which as soon as they are passed they have to get back as quickly as they can.
"In the combined system, on the other hand, there is no hard and fast line between backs and half-backs, though of course it can readily be understood that both backs must not be in an advanced position at the same time. Each man of the defence marks one forward of the opposite side, the backs and half-backs on each side respectively arranging between themselves which of them shall take the outside man, the centre half acting rather more independently than the other two halves, but still paying more attention to the centre forward than any of the others. As an illustration, suppose the ball to be run down the right wing of the attack, the left back and half of the defence will mark the two wing men, the right full back will come across so as to be at hand to assist his fellow back, but keeping well behind in case the ball should be kicked beyond the left back and half. The centre half will mark the centre forward, and the right half will take up such a position as will enable him to prevent either man of the left wing opposed to him taking a pass. This system distributes the work equally among the whole of the defence, and therefore requires less individual excellence, though utilizing the powers of the full backs to a far greater extent than the independent system. Each has its advantages, the former of the two alone answering when players are new to one another, and when the adoption of the latter would probably lead to disaster. The great advantages of the latter system where it can be adopted are—
"1. It to a great extent prevents the opposing forwards getting the ball,
"2. When by any chance they do get the ball, it prevents any combination whatever, as there is no clear space between the backs and half-backs in which they can get together.
"3. It tends to put the opposing forwards off-side, and so prevents 'lurking.'
"4. It requires less individual excellence, and equalizes the labour.
"It is, perhaps, superfluous to add, nowadays, when the game is so well known, that neither halves nor full backs should go in for gallery kicking, and least of all the halves. It is far easier, though less effective as a spectacle, to pass a ball back to a fellow-back than to kick it over your own head. It should always be their object to place the ball to the forward who is in the best position for receiving it as conveniently for him to take as possible, that is, where feasible along the ground. To ensure accuracy, all passing by backs and half-backs to forwards should be done with the side of the foot; it looks twice as ugly as with the toe, but it is ten times more effective. Dribbling should never be indulged in beyond what is absolutely necessary; but passing from the half-back to backs, and also between the halves themselves, and between the backs themselves, is often extremely useful Last, but by no means least important, where a half-back finds himself in such a position that he cannot reach the ball, or that it will be more easy for the back to do so, he must invariably keep the man off."